West Ham United are set to reap the rewards of a busy summer in the transfer market this season, according to current Irons goalkeeper Adrian.

Speaking ahead of the Hammers’ league encounter with Southampton, the Spaniard seemingly praised the recruitment efforts of Sam Allardyce and those behind the scenes at Upton Park, following several months of eye-catching arrivals at the club.

In May, former Birmingham City loan star Mauro Zarate arrived at the club after a prolific spell back in Argentina with Velez Sarsfield, where he managed 20 goals in 43 appearances.

Signed on a three-year contract, the 27-year-old was soon joined by fellow South American star Enner Valencia, who was purchased from Mexican league side Pachuca in a deal worth £12 million after impressing with three goals for Ecuador at the World Cup in Brazil.

The arrivals continued to roll in with Metz forward Diafra Sakho also recruited from the newly-promoted Ligue 1 side earlier this month in what was the seventh new signing at the club over the summer.

And while all three may take some time to settle into life at the Boleyn Ground, though Zarate has already got off the mark against Crystal Palace, goalkeeper Adrian believes these and the other new faces at the club could be key to helping West Ham avoid any relegation worries this term.

"We have more forwards with Enner, Mauro and Sakho, which gives us very good options in attack. I think Cheikhou [Kouyate] and [Diego] Poyet can also help us."

West Ham will be relatively confident of victory over Southampton at Upton Park on Saturday, not just because of their new attacking options, but also due to their fine recent record at home against the Saints, having beaten the south coast team 3-1 and 4-1 on their last two visits to the Boleyn Ground.

Jack Beresford

Jack is a 27-year-old writer with experience in writing about sport in a range of guises. He’s something of a statto when it comes to soccer and has a passion for English football at all levels, as well as Serie A and the Bundesliga.